John Mabry, an animal science professor at Iowa State University, has a grant from the National Pork Board to study nutrition in Berkshire hogs.

Credit Amy Mayer / Harvest Public Media

On this week's show, we'll hear about a program that funds pork research, and hear about the opening of a new Ronald McDonald house.

Every time a hog is sold, farmers contribute to the National Pork Check-off. The program each year raises tens of millions of dollars that goes to the National Pork Board, which is charged with improving the $20 billion dollar industry. Some of that money funds scientific research. But as Harvest Public Media’s Amy Mayer reports, though all producers contribute, they aren't all satisfied with the research.

Also, Columbia’s new Ronald McDonald House has opened and is ready for new families. This organization provides a low or no cost place to stay for families with children currently undergoing treatment at a range of Columbia health facilities. The program is mainly funded through private donations. KBIA’s Drew Koch was at Tuesday’s grand opening and has this report.